Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA), a prevalent degenerative joint disease, significantly impacts millions globally by causing pain and reduced range of motion (ROM). Study evaluated efficacy of two Ayurvedic treatment protocols in managing KOA. Treatment Protocol 1 combined Balāsahacarādi Kaṣāya (BS) and Daśaṅgalēpaya (DL), while Treatment Protocol 2 included Dashamul kvātha and Shūlahara thailaya. A randomized clinical trial was conducted at Rural Ayurveda Hospital, Kesbewa, Sri Lanka, involving 60 female patients equally divided into test and control groups. Pain (using Visual Analog Scale), ROM (using a Goniometer), swelling, evaluated before and after a 2-week treatment period as key parameters. Pharmacological properties antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-oedema effects of herbal ingredients were analyzed. Data analysis using paired t-tests and non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon-signed rank test, p = 0.05) revealed significant clinical improvements with Treatment Protocol 1. Participants experienced marked pain reduction, improved ROM, and decreased swelling, tenderness, and crepitus compared to Protocol 2, which showed moderate but less pronounced efficacy. Crepitus demonstrated minimal change, possibly due to advanced joint degeneration. Study highlighted therapeutic potential of Ayurvedic treatments for KOA, with Protocol 1 proving superior in alleviating symptoms and improving joint function. Short treatment duration and lack of follow-up were the limitations. Future studies with larger samples, extended duration, and follow-up assessments are recommended to validate findings and explore preventive benefits.
1*Dr. S. N. L. Narathota, 2Dr. W. J. Wickramarachchi, 3Prof. W. A. L. C. Waliwita (Mon,) studied this question.